Phone requested, coat demanded. On Dec. 28, a man called Denver police after a suspect tried to steal his coat at a bus stop in the 3000 block of West Yale Avenue. The victim reported that the suspect approached and asked to use his phone. When he declined, the suspect complimented his “old-school” Broncos jacket. The suspect pushed the man to the ground, but did not take anything.

Paramedic assaulted. Police responded to assist paramedics on a call with a combative party Dec. 31 in the 1600 block of Colorado Boulevard. The suspect was aggressive, drunk and kicking things. The suspect later hit a paramedic in the face, causing her glasses to fall off.

Cellphone thrown. On Dec. 31, a woman was arrested after getting into a fight with her mother in the 4600 block of West Ninth Avenue. The suspect reportedly threw a cellphone at her mother, hitting her in the back, and scratched her face. After the mother locked herself in a room, the suspect began making threats. She was arrested by police.

Robbery victim sobers up. A man called police Jan. 2, a day after he was robbed in the 700 block of 16th Street. The man said he was walking to his home when he was approached by two suspects who demanded money. One punched him and took his phone and the two fled. The man was going to pursue, but realized he was intoxicated and didn’t want to fight two men while drunk. He went home and fell asleep before contacting police.

Shoplifting attempt. On Dec. 31, a man was arrested after trying to steal two drill kits from Home Depot, 3130 S. Sheridan Blvd. The suspect was seen concealing the items and trying to leave the store. When confronted, he pulled a knife and claimed he had a gun.

Joe Vaccarelli covers Denver and Lakewood for the YourHub section of The Denver Post. Prior to coming aboard in 2011, he worked with Mile High Newspapers. Vaccarelli also teaches percussion at schools in Golden and Littleton and performs with the Denver Broncos Stampede and Denver Nuggets Skyline drumlines.